The group traces its beginnings to 1962, when its founder chairman, Hasmukh Dawda, began a trading business in neighboring Kenya.

[1] Having dropped out of school at age 13, he first began trading in confectioneries, before he eventually raised enough capital to start manufacturing his own.

[5] In 2002, the group acquired the Kenyan business formerly known as House of Manji, which was under receivership.

[6] The Dawda Group is mainly involved in the manufacture of fruit juices, beverages,[7] mineral water, confectionery and the distribution of cosmetics, hardware, and pharmaceuticals.

[1] The conglomerate has its headquarters and majority of its businesses in Uganda, with manufacturing plants in Kenya, and distributes ts products in the countries of the East African Community, as well as exporting to Europe and Asia.